Toronto 2026/Ward 19/James Dann
JD

James Dann

Campaign site
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Running for
Councillor
Ward 19
Beaches-East York
Days until polls open
29

About James

Written by James Dann in answer to our questionnaire, and published as given. Not our description of them.

I've spent my career at the City of Toronto managing parks, waterfront, and public infrastructure — including right here in the Beaches and East York. I know how decisions get made at City Hall, what makes good projects succeed, and why some never get off the ground.

Ward 19 is facing real questions about development, transit, and the future of our public spaces. I want to bring what I've learned to the table as your councillor — not to make promises, but to get things done.

Our questionnaire

Where James Dann stands

James Dann’s own answers to the questions we put to every candidate, published as given — including, where they wrote one, their reasoning in their own words.

Five decisions facing the next council

Should Toronto permit substantially more housing as-of-right in every ward, including areas currently dominated by detached and semi-detached homes?

  • James Dann    Yes

When a person living in a park has been offered an available indoor space that meets their accessibility, safety and household needs, should the city require them to leave the encampment?

  • James Dann    Yes

Should Toronto introduce road-pricing measures, such as congestion charges or tolls, if the revenue is dedicated to transportation improvements?

  • James Dann    Yes

Should Toronto raise additional local revenue to address its infrastructure repair backlog rather than defer maintenance while seeking funding from other governments?

  • James Dann    Yes

Should Toronto publish project-level budgets, schedules and performance updates for all major capital projects?

  • James Dann    Yes

Public safety and public space

Which approach should receive the greatest additional investment to improve public safety?

  • James Dann    Lighting, maintenance, sanitation and active use of streets and parks

Over the next council term, the Toronto Police Service budget should:

  • James Dann    Remain approximately constant after inflation

How should Toronto govern automated licence-plate readers and similar surveillance technology used on public streets?

  • James Dann    Establish citywide limits on access, retention, auditing and data sharing

Transit and transportation

What should receive the greatest share of the next available transit funding?

  • James Dann    More frequent and reliable service on existing routes

When there is not enough street space for every use, which should generally receive priority?

  • James Dann    Transit, walking and cycling

Housing and growth

If Toronto could make one major housing intervention this term, which should receive the greatest emphasis?

  • James Dann    Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing

What should be Toronto's primary role in delivering affordable and supportive housing?

  • James Dann    Supply land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers

Where should Toronto permit the greatest increase in housing density?

  • James Dann    Permit more apartments and multiplexes in nearly every neighbourhood

City government and service delivery

Which change would you implement to reduce the cost of building housing in Toronto?

  • James Dann    Expand as-of-right zoning and automate routine permits

What is the most important change Toronto should make to reduce capital-project delays and cost overruns?

  • James Dann    Prevent councillors from altering scope after approval without identifying funding

Which service-delivery model should Toronto use more often?

  • James Dann    Expand permanent city staff and internal operational capacity

Taxes, spending and fiscal sustainability

Over the next council term, residential property-tax revenues should generally:

  • James Dann    Grow approximately with inflation and population

Which type of additional revenue should Toronto rely on most heavily?

  • James Dann    Property taxes or new municipal income or sales taxes, if authorized

What should Toronto do first to address its infrastructure repair backlog?

  • James Dann    Introduce a levy or other recurring source reserved for maintenance

Governance and representation

What should be Toronto's primary approach to the provincial government?

  • James Dann    Publicly press for greater authority, revenue and a different fiscal arrangement

Strong mayor powers should be used mainly for:

  • James Dann    appointing and removing senior staff, restructuring departments

Your ward and your record

Which objective should receive the greatest attention in your ward during the next council term?

  • James Dann    Transit, roads, parks, waste collection and local infrastructure

Which single result should voters use to assess your performance at the end of the term?

  • James Dann    Safer, cleaner and better-maintained streets and public spaces

Priorities and trade-offs

Over the next council term, Toronto should:

  • James Dann    Expand the protected cycling network, including projects that remove traffic lanes or parking

When demonstrations substantially block transportation or access to essential institutions, the city should prioritize:

  • James Dann    Keep major roads, transit, hospitals and essential facilities operating

Where should Toronto direct its next major technology investment?

  • James Dann    Permits, licences, payments and service requests

When Toronto faces a structural operating-budget gap, what should it do first?

  • James Dann    Reduce internal administration, staffing or contract costs

What is the most important municipal intervention for improving Toronto's business climate?

  • James Dann    Accelerate permits, inspections and approvals

How should Toronto attract major employers, investment and events?

  • James Dann    Housing affordability, transportation, safety and quality of life

What should Toronto prioritize to increase construction capacity?

  • James Dann    Encourage modular construction, prefabrication and more efficient building methods

What should receive the greatest priority in Toronto's public-realm budget?

  • James Dann    Cleanliness, roads, sidewalks, snow clearing, washrooms and routine park care

What should be Toronto's primary tool for supporting arts, culture and nightlife?

  • James Dann    Grants, city facilities and affordable cultural space

If autonomous taxi services operate in Toronto, which condition should the city prioritize?

  • James Dann    Mandatory reporting on trips, collisions, congestion and curb use

Each card is one question, with James Dann filed under the answer they gave and their own words underneath it. The other options offered are not shown, nor how the rest of the field answered.

How the whole city answered

Registered candidates from the City Clerk’s official list, refreshed daily. Campaign sites are linked as published by the candidate; a link is not an endorsement.

Everyone running in Beaches-East YorkWhere the whole field stands